The Academic-Industrial Partnerships for Translation of Technologies for Diagnosis and Treatment program, led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Eye Institute (NEI), and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), aims to stimulate collaborative research partnerships between academic and industrial organizations. The primary goal is to translate scientific and engineering discoveries into practical tools, technologies, and methods for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The initiative focuses on bridging gaps in expertise by leveraging interdisciplinary, multi-institutional teams to address critical biomedical problems. Projects must include at least one academic and one industrial partner and aim to transition technologies, assays, devices, or systems from proof-of-concept to practical application in pre-clinical, clinical, or non-clinical settings. The partnerships are expected to design, validate, and demonstrate that their solutions are ready for end-users.

The program emphasizes innovation, defined here as the likelihood of delivering new capabilities to end-users. Research areas may include advancements in diagnostics, imaging, spectroscopy systems, molecular assays, bioinformatics tools, and quality control measures. Projects can also focus on affordability, reproducibility, or adaptation of technologies for underserved or low-resource settings. Industrial partners are expected to contribute to the scalability and potential commercialization of outcomes. The funding supports the enhancement, adaptation, optimization, validation, and translation of technologies while stopping short of commercial production. Importantly, applications must propose strategic alliances with clear governance structures, shared leadership, and conflict-resolution mechanisms.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (both public and private), nonprofits, small businesses, local and state governments, tribal organizations, and foreign institutions. Partnerships between academic institutions and affiliated startup companies are permitted, provided financial conflicts of interest are properly managed. Applicants must also meet several registration requirements, including SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, prior to submission. Proposals must address the significance, innovation, and feasibility of the proposed research, detailing governance plans, milestones, and metrics for success. Projects should demonstrate readiness for translation, including validation studies and alignment with regulatory requirements where applicable.

The program allows for budgets of up to $499,000 in direct costs per year for a maximum project period of five years. Applications will undergo rigorous peer review, focusing on three key evaluation factors: the importance of the research, the rigor and feasibility of the approach, and the expertise and resources of the proposed team. Reviewers will assess the likelihood of the project delivering a meaningful new capability to end-users and its overall potential for translational impact. Additional considerations include the management of biological and chemical resources, adherence to human subjects and vertebrate animal research protections, and the appropriateness of budget allocations.

The next anticipated submission cycle opens on January 5, 2025, with standard NIH deadlines for new and renewal applications in February, June, and October each year until the expiration date of January 8, 2028. Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals well in advance to address any submission-related errors. Final funding decisions will consider peer review scores, program priorities, and available resources.

For further guidance, applicants are directed to contact NIH program officials from NCI, NEI, and NIDCR for scientific inquiries, and grants management specialists for administrative or budget-related questions. Successful applicants are expected to share research data according to NIH Data Management and Sharing policies and comply with federal regulations governing research funding and oversight.